Does anyone have experience with the new Gravel King Semi-Slicks (SS) yet? I'm intrigued, but curious about the actual vs. advertised width. I've seen one video review that mentioned the 700x35mm size inflated to 38mm, which has me torn about which size to buy. I'm wanting these for my Stans Grail MK3 wheels (20.3mm IW), and I would likely buy the 38mm if I knew they are true-to-size. I have plenty of clearance, but really only want a 38mm width for these wheels, since they'll likely see 75% pavement / 25% gravel or dirt. Any feedback will be appreciated.
Edit - I watched the video review again, and the 35mm tires were mounted on 25mm IW rims, which is pretty wide and probably explains why they measured larger at 38mm.
If it's the same casing as the normal GK slicks - they do tend to stretch. My old 38mm were 38mm on i23 rims when new, but stretched close to 40mm near the end of it's life - which wasn't that long.
Ride 38s SS on my Cyclocross bike and 28mm GP4000 before. It's really hard to notice a huge difference, but the comfort of the Panaracer is great. Also in wet and slippery conditions it is still working, very limited, but still working :-)
I didn't measure them but think they are really true to size. I would highly recommend 38s.
Quick follow up... I bought the 700x38 GK SS tires and mounted them last night. Super easy tubeless setup, and they only leaked down a couple psi in the first 24 hours. Only had time for a quick paved trail ride tonight, but they felt smooth and fast. Hopefully I’ll have time to try them on gravel later this week.
Took my 38 SS's out yesterday for their first ride (about 75 miles/4500 vert) and they were really impressive. I set a few PR's on segments w/out even really feeling like I was trying. They also got me through some muddy sections w/out issue. The ride though was mostly dry, and this was a gravel road ride w/out any singletrack. Pretty similar to what you'd ride at RPI - if I was racing that this year this would be for sure the tire I'd take.
Quick follow up - the center tread was completely bare, and some of the first row of diamond treads on my rear GK SS were worn down a lot in just about 900 miles of riding.
I like the tire/speed enough that I snagged a replacement for it, but don't expect a lot of durability out of these.
Also, don't expect a lot of super solid cornering in loose/dry terrain. Which isn't a shocker at all given the design, but I think this tire is really meant for someone doing mixed surface rides who values speed over durability/cornering.
mtgrvl wrote:Quick follow up - the center tread was completely bare, and some of the first row of diamond treads on my rear GK SS were worn down a lot in just about 900 miles of riding.
Thanks for that info, I kinda wondered if that would be the trade-off with these tires. My last set of SK's went around 2.5K on a rear, and over 4K on the front. The casing started to break down before the knobs were worn down too. Guess I'll be sticking to those for normal riding.
Yeah, I think you're sacrificing durability and dirt cornering for being fast, lightweight, and relatively affordable (especially right now you can find these for $29 online).
My first review point saying I'd use these for a race situation still holds. I raced RPI last year on the SK, and this year if it was happening, I'd run the SS. Possibly in a 43 if I was doing the 100 mile version again.
Also, for what it's worth, I had no flats on this non-plus SS while riding some pretty rugged Montana roads/single-track. But who knows if that was just luck or not.
I've just replaced 38mm GK semi-slick(file thread tread) after 1600 mi. Mostly road riding, maybe 200 miles gravel and of that 60 miles pretty rocky hilly FS roads. Great road feel and ride, as others have said. Attached pics show rear tire with sealant leaks around whole circumference. Cut both front and rear tires and measured tread thickness at the center with calipers. I found rear tread thickness: 1/16" inch; and front: 1/8". I am 5'9" and 185 lbs. Tires are not durable enough for me. Bought Rene Herse Barlow Pass tires for replacements. More expensive for sure but the BP tires have more thickness at center ot the tread. Just bought some 650's with real gravel/dirt road tires for the rough stuff. But the GK's were generally a great ride in varied gravel situations.
They do seem to be designed for light weight speed as opposed to durability. Kinda like the GP5000. I expect similar milage on those (1600 rear at least), except the conti's have these handy tread wear indicators.
mtgrvl wrote:Quick follow up - the center tread was completely bare, and some of the first row of diamond treads on my rear GK SS were worn down a lot in just about 900 miles of riding.
I like the tire/speed enough that I snagged a replacement for it, but don't expect a lot of durability out of these.
Also, don't expect a lot of super solid cornering in loose/dry terrain. Which isn't a shocker at all given the design, but I think this tire is really meant for someone doing mixed surface rides who values speed over durability/cornering.
Sounds like the GK SS usable mileage and durability is about the same as GK slick.
For me - I prefer the WTB Byways - similar rolling as the GK slick, supple, and I already have twice the mileage as my last GK and probably 40% of the usable life left - so basically they'll last 3-4x as long as the GK. They are slightly heavier and more expensive, but given the durability their lifetime costs are less. That and the fact, I don't like the hassle and mess of changing tubeless tires every few months, make them totally worth it.
smoothmoose in your experience are the byways true to size? My frame is rated to 42c and I'm currently using Resolutes which, by eyeballing it are measuring out at 44mm on my i23 rims. They're great but I'm on the road a lot and was planning to try 43c GKs as a potentially quieter alternative. Your post has me wondering if I might fit the 44-622 Byways. From the look of things, 45mm width is about as far as I can go, and I'd prefer not to go down in volume to the 40s. Thanks.
Mark_S wrote:smoothmoose in your experience are the byways true to size? My frame is rated to 42c and I'm currently using Resolutes which, by eyeballing it are measuring out at 44mm on my i23 rims. They're great but I'm on the road a lot and was planning to try 43c GKs as a potentially quieter alternative. Your post has me wondering if I might fit the 44-622 Byways. From the look of things, 45mm width is about as far as I can go, and I'd prefer not to go down in volume to the 40s. Thanks.
Check the review on this site - I think they measured the different sizes for the Byway 700c. I run the Byway 40s which are really 38mm even on my 25mm rims. The GK are the opposite and tend to run big and also stretch more.
Thank you. Perfect steer. One of the comments mentions the 44-622 measuring 43mm on an i22 rim. They'll be perfect on my Grade. I was always interested in the Byways but not in 650b wheels. Looking forward to trying them now. Much appreciated.
I'm having terrible issues with GK SS on a Farwheels, they do not keep air inside, they are definitely placed on the wheel. Even after adding sealant, moving the wheel around and adding air, after 2 days its still losing air. I added rim tape even if there are no spoke holes. I can see the air coming out. How can I fix it ?
shalke wrote:I'm having terrible issues with GK SS on a Farwheels, they do not keep air inside, they are definitely placed on the wheel. Even after adding sealant, moving the wheel around and adding air, after 2 days its still losing air. I added rim tape even if there are no spoke holes. I can see the air coming out. How can I fix it ?
If you first tried without rim tape, then yeah, not likely to hold air. My BTLOS rims came with skinny rim tape that covered the spoke holes, but not the entire rim channel and it did not hold air well using that tape. I would follow the typical recommendation and using +2-3mm wider rim tape than the internal width. i.e. 23mm rims, use at least 25mm wide tape. That should work, if it doesn't, 2 layers of tape should definitely do it.
If you first tried without rim tape, then yeah, not likely to hold air. My BTLOS rims came with skinny rim tape that covered the spoke holes, but not the entire rim channel and it did not hold air well using that tape. I would follow the typical recommendation and using +2-3mm wider rim tape than the internal width. i.e. 23mm rims, use at least 25mm wide tape. That should work, if it doesn't, 2 layers of tape should definitely do it.
I didn't try it without, since I want to have an easier time with cleaning. Just one layer of tape so far. So add more tape even if the rim doesn't have any holes. Will try it. Its just odd because its hookless also, Panaracer said their tyres are compatible with hookless.
